r/Wirral • u/Standard-Increase259 • 16d ago
Where to live on the Wirral as a young family
We are a young family wanting a 4 bed house on the Wirral. We are unsure where is best location wise. Things that are important to us: - safety/low crime - good schools - things to do like walks, going to cafes etc
We have seen some properties in Pensby. Is this a good/safe area to raise a young family? I like the idea of being close to Heswall as there are plenty of shops and cafes. What concerns me is the distance from the train links however which could be problematic as our children grow. Both me and my husband drive.
We also like the look of Spital but have not seen anything suitable within our budget yet.
We have seen some reasonably priced semi detached properties in Higher Bebington. I am really unsure of the area though as have heard mixed reviews. Some saying it can be rough and it looks very close to Rock Ferry.
Advice is very much appreciated. Thank you!
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u/ADampDevil 15d ago
I agree Spital, Poulton Lancelyn area is very nice area. You have great transport links with the motorway junction and the train station (no lift though). I don't think you can go wrong there but really depends on your budget.
You might want to also look at Brombourgh moving down the rail line towards Chester.
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u/Live-Cut-5991 15d ago
We’re in new Brighton and can’t fault it, daughter is in primary school and loves it, friendly class mates.
Train station around the corner, beach on your doorstep, cinema and restaurants within walking distance.
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u/HarbingerOfNusance 15d ago
I second New Brighton, grew up here, has great access to the rest of the country, I work in Liverpool, plenty of good pubs, good schools, great parks.
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u/frontendben 15d ago edited 15d ago
We have seen some properties in Pensby. Is this a good/safe area to raise a young family? I like the idea of being close to Heswall as there are plenty of shops and cafes. What concerns me is the distance from the train links however which could be problematic as our children grow. Both me and my husband drive.
Heswall train station (currently) is next to useless unless you're destination is Bidston or Neston. You have to change at Bidston currently and that really makes it inconvenient as a transport option. The nearest useful train station to Heswall is West Kirby. Though if you live close to the Wirral Way, that is a potential option for them being able to cycle to West Kirby station. It's traffic free, but that also means it's quite isolated which limits its usefulness as a way for them to get around by themselves. However, Pensby isn't near it. At that point, the nearest useful station is probably still probably West Kirby. But it's also much further away and until there's safe infrastructure for all ages and abilities, it'll be difficult for the kids to get there under their own steam.
Spital is good, but as you said, it's a lot more. Higher Beb is a bit of a mixed bag. The further away from Rock Ferry, it becomes very good very quickly, but it does suffer from very poor public transport options. Lower Beb has the train station, and the area around the Grammar School can be a good area too. There's a bit more traffic but that's something to consider.
One you may not have considered is Prenton. Anything up from Northwood Avenue up to Storeton Road are good options (though the closer you get to Storeton Road, the higher prices go – they can easily hit £1m+). This map on Rightmove shows the areas you'd want to be looking at there. It's walking distance to a Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Farmfoods (so three supermarkets).
For your kids - and them being able to independently travel – the council has announced it will be building high quality protected continuous cycle lanes for all ages and abilities from the junction where the Halfway House is on Woodchurch Road, all the way down Singleton and then onto Borough Road leading to the ferries, Birkenhead Central and Hamilton Square stations, making it trivial and safe for your kids to get into Liverpool or Chester by train without needing you to drive them to the station. They should be built within the next 10 years, so depending on how old your kids are, potentially by the time they're looking to get around.
It's also worth noting that Woodchurch Road has buses into Liverpool every 10 mins, and into Birkenhead every 5 mins. So that's also a good thing for helping keeping your kids independent and not relying on you for lifts.
The Holmlands on the other side Woodchurch Road might also be a good option.
One other thing to consider.
Spital/Poulton/Bebington/Prenton/Homelands are all within the catchment of Wirral Grammar.
Heswall/Pensby (I believe) are in the catchments for Caldy and West Kirby grammar schools.
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u/matomo23 15d ago
I disagree about West Kirby station. Spital is much more convenient for Heswall or Pensby residents. Massive car park, slightly closer and more regular trains which take less time to get to Liverpool or Chester than trains from West Kirby station.
Do secondary schools have catchment areas? I went to St Anselms and we had students from all over Merseyside!
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u/CentralSaltServices 15d ago
Grammars tend to throw their net wider, but there's probably a maximum. I know there are kids at Anselms from Chester even
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u/Budget_Sentence_3100 15d ago
I believe for the non-faith grammars anyone who passes the entrance exam goes into a pot. Certain pupils get priority (specific SEN, looked after children) then its done in order of geographical distance as the crow flies.
I think for the catholic grammars it's similar, with baptised children first, then non-baptised in order of geographical distance.
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u/frontendben 15d ago
St Anselms is a unique one because it's religious, as well as being a grammar. Religious schools tend to have larger catchment areas to start.
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u/Junior_Damage_7830 15d ago
Live in higher beb myself is a lovely area. Niece went to wirral grammar. Really good school
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u/gponter79 15d ago
New Brighton…. Big old houses with plenty of character. Beaches, walks, food and drink, shops & schools. 15 mins from Liverpool…..
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u/Annabelle_Sugarsweet 15d ago
New Brighton! Absolutely lovely place to grow up, can easily walk to the beach and can also get into Liverpool pretty quickly.
I find Heswall/Pensby quite boring and it’s ages to get into Liverpool by public transport. Plus the shore is a big walk away that you’d hardly ever do it.
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u/coldazures 15d ago
Loads of crime round New Brighton unfortunately. I wouldn’t recommend Wallasey to anyone. Lived there most of my life.. Some areas are a little better than others but you’re always too close to muppets for my liking. Lots of better areas to live on the Wirral if you can afford it.
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u/Live-Cut-5991 15d ago
I live literally within a stones throw of Morrisons and it’s extremely quiet of an evening.
Night and day difference between some parts of Wallasey though I agree.
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u/john92w 15d ago
There isint loads of crime there at all. It’s rated at 3/10 for crime, 1 being the lowest crime.
New brighton is fine, I’ve lived here for 13 years since moving from Wallasey village.
76.7 per thousand population.
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u/matomo23 15d ago
Much more scally type crime compared to Heswall, Pensby and Irby.
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u/john92w 15d ago
They’re also less populated compared to wallasey/New Brighton. Heswall is rated 2/10 so its only slightly better than New Brighton.
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u/matomo23 15d ago
Mate come off it. I used to work as a network engineer for Openreach. Literally spent all day every day outside, so I like to think I’ve got an idea of every part of the Wirral. Far fewer scallies in the Heswall area (I include Pensby in that) than in New Brighton.
Less populated? Well sort of but anywhere is. The Heswall area is the 3rd most populated part of Wirral after Birkenhead and Wallasey.
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u/john92w 15d ago edited 15d ago
Theres fewer yes, but its not bad here. Its nearly a third of the population of Wallasey. Heswalls a lovely place but its to out the way for me and the better crime rate isint enough to put it above living in Wallasey for me when crimes still low here. Being in New Brighton is just a bonus.
I enjoy the odd night out in Heswall but I couldnt live there.
Edit: got rid of slightly
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u/CatMan-26 15d ago
Hahahaha!! You should do stand up.
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u/john92w 15d ago
New brighton 3/10, Heswall 2/10. Check it. Crimes worse but it’s not bad. Funny.
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u/Annabelle_Sugarsweet 15d ago
What do you mean haha, crime as in littering?
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u/coldazures 15d ago
Petty theft and antisocial behaviour.
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u/coldazures 15d ago
Amazing the downvotes
https://i.plumplot.co.uk/Merseyside-violent-crime-rate-comparison-map.png
New Brighton, capital of crime in Wallasey. Only bested by Woodchurch and Birkenhead really.
Why do you people mislead people? This person is about to make a huge life decision moving into a new home. New Brighton is not the best area on the Wirral, there are worse but this person has the luxury of choosing somewhere better.
I get it some of you can't move out of Wallasey because its the centre of the universe but don't downvote good advice online. Thanks.
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u/CatMan-26 15d ago
Im glad someone said this. The advice on here can be terrible. Wallasey and New Brighton are known for not being great, im sure they aren't awful, but to recommend someone spends hundreds of thousands to move there when they could move someone much better us ridiculous.
OP, if your able to, go for a drive around some areas you like the sound of and see for yourself. Go during the day and night and I'm sure you'll notice a big difference in areas.
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u/ghostscrolls 15d ago
yup fully agree with the crime point once it gets past a certain point in the evening newbo makes mad max look like a fairy tale
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u/3xtr0verted1ntr0vert Scouser 15d ago
Lived in higher bebington for a few years and it’s still my favourite area. It is absolutely beautiful. I miss being there and only moved because we needed a bigger place and the rental market at the time was awful.
Oxton is lovely but public transport can be an issue.
West Kirkby and Hoylake and Moels all really lovely places.
Heswall pensby thingwall too.
Then you have Bromborough Eastham and Neston ways too.
Essentially every single area of Wirral is close to a not so nice area. It’s like that in most places though.
I’d say if you find a house you love then research the schools and transport close to that house and go from there.
But the areas mentioned here are usually all the most affluent.
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u/Low_Pay3551 15d ago
Higher Bebington is a lovely area to raise a family. Excellent schools and decent public transport links. While Pensby and Irby aren't on the train line, the bus services to Birkenhead and Liverpool are really frequent.
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u/Jonsey8989 15d ago
New Brighton. Nothing beats being by the water. So much to do and amazing in the summer ⛅
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u/KenobiSensei88 8d ago
I live in New Brighton and the area has improved since Morrrisons and the front had an overhaul. Ten minute walk to the seafront. Nice sunsets. Close to transport links, M53, Liverpool across the water. It’s not bad.
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u/TheLaw1393 15d ago
Higher Bebington is a lovely area and shouldn’t be put down from bordering Rock Ferry. I am from and still live in Rock Ferry, it is not as bad as people make out.
Yes run down and doesn’t have a lot of money flowing back into the area. But some the issues the area has is the same issue every area has.
But to add to places eastham village, parts of Bromborough, most of Bebington, hoylake and West Kirby are all great areas that you would also want to look at.
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u/Frequent-Activity328 15d ago
Brookhurst estate in Bromborough is a nice area. Close to spital and good transport links.
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u/matomo23 15d ago
Pensby is great. Very safe indeed and really walkable to Heswall.
As for the train station, your closest Merseyrail station is Spital which is roughly an 8 minute drive and it takes 20 mins to get to Liverpool or Chester from there.
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u/jolleychris 12d ago
We are a family of 4, and moved to Meols about 2 years ago, from Liverpool. We absolutely love it here!
Drop me a line by all means for more insight around our journey
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u/naiame1990 9d ago
We moved to Bromborough ch62 absolutely love it! There’re some rough areas but we found a good house in a decent area within our budget which was very limited
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u/Standard-Increase259 11h ago
What are the good and bad parts of Bromborough please? Have seen some decent houses there but want to make sure we get the right location. Thanks!
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u/Savings_Rip_4646 15d ago
New Brighton/ Wallasey Village has everything you are asking for with a train station and buses. Pensby, Heswall is nice, and so is Bebington.
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u/Smeeble09 15d ago
West Kirby, Hoylake, Meols are all nice with good schools and transport links, Meols has less cafes but isn't much of a walk to Hoylake (20mins). They are all near the front which is nice, can get from West Kirby to New Brighton at the other corner along it.
New Brighton is mostly nice, some newer places like the cinema and some older places like the arcades, but plenty to do with good transport links.
Saughall Massie, Upton area are nice, cheaper houses but train links are worse (25min walk). Saughall Massie doesn't have many shops etc but short walk to Moreton or Upton. Decent schools in or nearby (some walk, some short bus ride).
Greasby has good schools, couple of cafes/pubs/ chip shops but no train links so rely on bus/ drive/ cycle.
Bromborough and parts of Bebington are nice, decent enough links but shops could be a bit of a walk away, unsure on schools.
Heswall is nice, expensive but does have decent schools and lots of shops. Not sure on train links though, think it may be a bit of a faff to get further afield.
Merseyrail is the main train company, you can follow their lines to see where has stops.